God

This is a man that affected millions of people’s lives. I have listened to several of his messages this last week, as the prepared to lay his body to rest, and I am just overwhelmed by what I heard.
As my faith has grown. My understanding of the Bible has sorrowed to new heights. However, as I listen to Mr. Graham’s messages. I could see that I wish I had gained the knowledge I now have sooner. In every aspect Billy and I have the same understanding of the meaning of God’s Word.
I did hear him once as a teen on television in the 1970s, but until now I never truly listened to any other message he gave, except from a book a read a while back. I knew Mr. Graham was a man that we should listen to when it comes to the teachings of the Bible. I realized that he was the best thing we had to a prophet. He rose to this level upon the passing of Peter Marshall in 1949. Throughout the last half of a century he could be said to have been a spiritual leader. In that time a great revival took place, which helped this nation out. However at the same time those upon the left and within government hampered and muted this growth due to the removal of God from public schools and the forced legislation of the murder of the unborn, and ultimately the forced national legalization of the marriage of same sex couples. He fought this within the legal limits allowed us all. Unfortunately, these actions of removing God has started this nation in a downward spiral, but it was in no fault due to Billy Graham.
I highly suggest people find a way to listen to Mr. Graham’s messages and truly open their hearts to what they will hear. For there is still need for more to hear and understand the true meaning of the teachings within the Bible. For time is running out upon this world, as is proven more and more every day in world and national events.

This is a key to all that is wrong with the world at this time. Why it is this way is a long story and this is not the time or place to address this part of it to a degree. However, parts of the reason will most likely be hit upon as this article progresses.
For the last month I have turned off the world for the most part and sought to escape reality for a while by partaking in a series of fantasy fiction novels. The thing is as I read it I kept running into an issue of responsibility.
The author kept going to showing how those that wish to follow evil never took responsibility. In fact in an ironic way the core tenant to this group was that the individual must surrender all they had for the whole. Giving to those in need at great and continued sacrifice of the self.
They used the word “responsibility” as a club to surrender to the dictates of those that wish to take that which they did not earn themselves. In other words to steal from you.
This is not how the word “responsibility” is meant to work.
It is meant for each person to be accountable for their own life. Through not only what they believe and think, but how they feed and clothe themselves. This is the true meaning of this word as was driven home in multiple ways throughout these novels.
How can a fantasy novel get how we as humans behave, yet in the real world? More and more seek to let others do their work and hand them the money. Two hundred years ago this was called slavery. Now it is seen as a requirement by all, unless they are the down trodden, or those in power.
This was another point driven home in the novels. Those in power were not required to live like anyone else. If any questioned it they were the ones that were labeled as evil, not the other way as it should have been.
If you blame someone else for your plight, then you are not taking responsibility. So the only person truly doing wrong. Truly doing evil is that person that refuses to accept their own obligations.
So those in power that say you must give to your fellow humans through taxation, are in reality evil.
So those that take money from the government and yet have the ability to work even in a low paying job, are in fact evil.
So those that blame their woes upon everyone and everything other than themselves is in fact evil.
It is sad that this lesson comes through a fiction writer and not where it should come from. The person’s parents, schools and the church.
We are to seek to make our own lives better. Not take from others through taxes or any other means of theft.
I have worked multiple jobs in my lifetime. In my forties I worked to clean the floors in Walmart in the middle of the night. Why? Because I took responsibly for my own life.

I must say that I was surprised by this film. It keeps the Marvel/Disney partnership still look like the best use of Marvel’s characters to date.
Why is this?
I consider this movie to be mayhaps the first true attempt to heal the rift within the races that was brought to fester once again by the previous presidential administration. I remember the Cosby show, when Bill was not seen as a pariah. That show helped bring the races of this nation together. That is how I see Black Panther.
The true villain in this movie is the mentality of those that promote and demand vengeance for the acts of those long dead i.e. those that enslaved blacks. This was made manifest in the actions, behavior and attitude of the cousin of T’Challa. He and his father both saw those that had so-called diminished black culture to a third world roll needed to pay for this behavior.
T’Challa and those with him, for the most part. Did not show this mentality. They, again for the most part, saw that they were part of a larger community. All of humanity. Yes they did see that human behavior in the past was something that should be frowned upon, but not to the point of demanding vengeance or even their own actions to become the slave masters. This is however how Erik did think and belief.
Those within Wakanda, especially within the royal council, again for the most part, embraced the fact that all of humanity is equal. That the sins of the past show not be thrown at the feet of those that live today. No one should be held to account for the sins of their ancestors, and this is the core of the message that I saw brought out within this movie. As is clearly brought to light the second time T’Challa enters the vision as he once again become Black Panther.
I highly recommend this movie and watch it and listen to the message that is within.

Base Story: 5 out of 5 swords
Special effect: 4 swords out of 5
Acting: 4 out of 5 swords
Propaganda: 3 out of five (0 being totally liberal, 5 being totally Biblical)
Overall: 4 swords out of 5 swords.

“Belief” is defined first as the acceptance that something exists or is true, especially one without proof. It is also defined as something one accepts as true or real, as in a firmly held opinion.
These two variations of “belief” are actually in conflict. Many even those reading this will disagree with this assessment, however that is why this is being written to address this very point.
The former definition leans more toward an acceptance that, for the most known example, God is real. This however is not how the second definition of the word works.
Let’s look at the wording of the second definition, yet phrased differently.
“I accept this (blank) to be true for it is a firmly held opinion.”
First off we must look at the word “opinion.”
Opinion – A view or judgement formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.
Now here is where someone will state that this also matches the first definition, especially when belief in God is applied within the belief model. That actual statement confirms the second definition. It is them accepting a firmly held opinion.
Acceptance in God is based upon the teachings, not just within the Bible. True there is no solid proof. However, there is historical and archaeological evidence that supports events, places and people found within the Bible. There is even evidence of Jesus outside the Bible.
“And now Caesar, upon hearing the death of Festus, sent Albinus into Judea, as procurator. But the king deprived Joseph of the high priesthood, and bestowed the succession to that dignity on the son of Ananus, who was also himself called Ananus. Now the report goes that this eldest Ananus proved a most fortunate man; for he had five sons who had all performed the office of a high priest to God, and who had himself enjoyed that dignity a long time formerly, which had never happened to any other of our high priests. But this younger Ananus, who, as we have told you already, took the high priesthood, was a bold man in his temper, and very insolent; he was also of the sect of the Sadducees, who are very rigid in judging offenders, above all the rest of the Jews, as we have already observed; when, therefore, Ananus was of this disposition, he thought he had now a proper opportunity. Festus was now dead, and Albinus was but upon the road; so he assembled the sanhedrin of judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, and some others; and when he had formed an accusation against them as breakers of the law, he delivered them to be stoned: but as for those who seemed the most equitable of the citizens, and such as were the most uneasy at the breach of the laws, they disliked what was done; they also sent to the king, desiring him to send to Ananus that he should act so no more, for that what he had already done was not to be justified; nay, some of them went also to meet Albinus, as he was upon his journey from Alexandria, and informed him that it was not lawful for Ananus to assemble a sanhedrin without his consent. Whereupon Albinus complied with what they said, and wrote in anger to Ananus, and threatened that he would bring him to punishment for what he had done; on which king Agrippa took the high priesthood from him, when he had ruled but three months, and made Jesus, the son of Damneus, high priest.
Flavius Josephus: Antiquities of the Jews Book 20, Chapter 9, 1”
So this alone disqualifies the use of the second definition of the word “belief,” because it is not “opinion,” but history.
Again those that wish to belief in opinion over fact show that it takes a greater leap of faith, than it does to belief in God and His Son Jesus Christ.
This need to deny God. This need to believe that there is no moral authority. This allows those that are open to opinion that is not based in fact. Permitting them to live their lives as they wish too, to their own personal satisfaction. Allowing them to set their own personal gage of morality in their own existence.
This amorality allows most within this world to live lives that per the Bible will not lead to heaven, but to damnation. However since they live through opinion and not fact this allows people to come into greater and greater conflict with other people. Thus tearing apart society.
Those that live their lives in the beliefs of opinions swing this way and that way. As opinion changes day to day, to new ones that fit the need of the day. Like a boat cast adrift upon the ocean. Being pulled this way and that, but never seeing land ever again. Causing those within the boat to die of starvation and thirst.
This is what is beyond belief. This need to live in the opinion and not the fact. This need to place oneself before God. Thus breaking the very first commandment. To place no other god before The Lord our God.
For those that live upon opinion, and wish to live by their own moral compass will never see true north. Thus living lost to all and everyone, especially themselves.
Coming to understand that there is more evidence that supports that God is real. Is something that is extremely hard for those that live in the belief of opinion. For it is easier and less painful to “live” in the great lie. Not realizing that in reality they are not alive at all, until it is too late.

Leap of faith is defined as an act of believing something that is not easily believed; or an act of believing in or attempting something whose existence or outcome cannot be proved.
In the world of religion this is something that both sides choose to do. Those that do belief in God and those that elect not to believe in God. Both make this leap of faith.
This boils down to the most basic of all things within the world we live within as humans. It even begins within the womb, and people’s conception of who or what is inside the womb. To those that are willing to accept that what is within the womb is a fellow human being. To those that promote that what is within the womb is not human until it takes a breath of air. So as to justify their belief, they deny what is within the womb a chance to even take a breath. This allows them to live within their leap of faith and deny the fact that they are committing murder if in fact it is truly another human being that is within the womb.
Jeremiah 1:5 (NLT) – I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.
KJV – Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
I formed – yatsar – to form, fashion
Thee in the belly – beten – belly, body, as they be born, within, womb
And before thou camest forth – yatsa’ – after, appear, assuredly, bear out, begotten, break out, bring forth out, up; to go or come out
Out of the womb – rechem – womb
I knew – yada – acknowledge, acquainted with, advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, to know
To those that have taken the leap of faith that there is a God. Will see this as showing that what is within the womb is not only a human being. It also shows that even before the point of conception our souls are created in the presence of God and instilled upon conception into the very cells that multiple and form into a baby as it grows within the womb. So what is within the woman is a separate and living being that has their own right to live and grow to adulthood.
To those that have taken the leap of faith that there is no God. See what is within the womb as nothing more than a group of cells that form into upon taking its first breath a human being. Per this concept, it has no soul until it takes a breath. This leap of faith would have you belief that the air we breathe has souls floating about unseen that take possession of this empty soulless body the moment it takes its first breath outside the womb.
To me, this second leap of faith takes a larger jump. It acts upon the concept that when it moves and kicks within the womb it is not alive. Yet I have seen with my own eyes my son’s foot pushing upon his mother’s stomach. Nothing can move if there is no soul within it.
So whose leap of faith is greater? The person that believes in God or denies God?
What I see is the need for a leap of faith in those that wish to deny God. It is the belief that everything revolves about them. Their needs, their wants, their desire. This is the complete antithesis of those that truly follow the teachings within the Bible.
Now here someone will challenge this statement. They challenge it because they have not truly read or studied the Bible. They take the words of other as fact. Taking the words of other is another leap of faith. They are taking upon their faith that the person talking knows of what they are referring. This is witnessed by those that listen to prosperity teachers like Joel Olsteen. They think they are Christian, they believe that Mr. Olsteen is Christian and teaching Christianity. This is a leap of faith. In actuality his teachings are not found within the Bible. The Bible verses he does use are taken out of context and not accurate to what the Bible truly teaches.
The Bible teaches that we are to not seek after worldly goods, wealth or property. In fact Jesus makes it perfectly clear that those that hold onto the world and gather wealth in the world will be seen as the least if they make it to heaven at all. (Matthew 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30; Matthew 6:19-21; 1 Timothy 6:7-10)
Matthew 19:30 – But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.
There are more leaps of faith taken by those that deny God, His Son and the teachings within the Bible. Then those that actually read the Bible and follow its teachings.
Then why do they take these leaps of faith? Because those that choose to deny God do so for their own wishes and desire, as was mentioned above. They wish to be in control. They wish to lead, to dominate and be in charge. Not only of their own lives, but of all others. Because they see themselves as greater. As more important, as special, because they have taken the greatest leap of faith of all and denied The One that is truly in charge.
They are to be pitied and wept for. This is why we are called to teach the Word of God. To spread the Gospel and to live, as best we can, a pure and righteous life. By following the teachings within the Bible, and surrender ourselves into those teachings and to seek guidance from God through His Son Jesus Christ.
This means we must follow what the Bible says we are to follow. To care for and guard all live, especially those that are yet to be born. So that their soul that is already in them can come to know God in a new and different way that can only be reached through asking Jesus Christ into their lives and our lives, and your life.

There are those out there that are seeking God. They come from all facets of life, and all live in sin.
They know there is a God. They wish to know Him better.
Many seek Him in various religions. But all religions save one fall short of this. All religions, except the one, aren’t even half as old as the exception to the rule. Yet time after time people try to change these facts to suit their wishes and desires.
It is in human’s nature to seek after the least painful way. This is so they can feel comfortable with how they chose to live their lives as they come to a place of comfort with how they wish to exist.
In simpler terms they say they are seeking God, yet they stop from the pursuit of this very endeavor.
This one religion is Judaism, from this religion came Christianity. Many would say these are two different religions. However, they actually aren’t. It is just an action of denial on the part of those within Judaism that keeps them from accepting the Christian aspect. For they do not wish to accept that Jesus the son of Mary is the fulfillment of all the prophecies within the Torah.
This is the one of the first step to truly seeking after God. That being to acknowledge and accept that Jesus is His Son. His Son made to be human. To live a human life. His Son who at the age of nine knew more about the Bible then all the Jewish scholars at the great Temple within Jerusalem. His son who when baptized had the Holy Ghost come down from heaven and enter into His body, which is free of all sin. His Son who told many in the beginning that He was the implementation and completion of prophecy. Yet they quickly rejected Him. For He was not the image humans had taught them to look for, but the total opposite.
Their reject led to the complete and full fulfillment of all prophecies when the placed Him upon the cross. Then rose from the dead on the third day.
When seeking God all must accept that they can only find God through His Son, who is Jesus Christ. They must do this wholeheartedly and completely, with love in their hearts for Him who created all. With love of His Son, and a desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
If they do this with all their heart. Then their journey begins in actually seeking God.
But understand. If this is a true desire. Then you will experience pain. For you will struggle with your sin nature the rest of your life. There is no comfortable spot when truly seeking God. There is only respite between trials and tribulations.
There will be acknowledgment that you cannot live in certain lifestyles. And acceptance of this will cause many to live with some emotional pains the rest of their lives.
But it is required when truly seeking God. For if the Bible says you cannot get into heaven if you live in this manner. Then you must concede this to be the truth and turn from it no matter the personal agony you must experience.
This is what is required to seek God.

This year has been rougher than some, but nowhere near my year of Job. This is the nature of living within this temporal reality we are to live in.
On one hand it has been wonderful. As I share time with the woman that God has brought into my life. For the first, I am in a happy relationship that helps both within it to grow and be content with each other’s companionship.
On the spiritual front it has been a rough year. I feel as if the rudder of my ship has become damaged and at times I drift.
I know I am to seek out further sanctification, however I see a need to surrender more of myself to accomplish this. Is this not the ever ongoing struggle that we all must deal with? We are told outright. We must place God at the center of our lives. Yet time and again it is not God we place here, but ourselves. As I write these word I know without a doubt that is my problem.
To many, they already see me as separate from them. Yet I know I must in a way separate further. However at the same exact time I must draw others closer so that they can truly see Jesus within my life. Then ultimately they can be able to see God through the teachings of Jesus Christ and His apostles, within the books of the New Testament.
One of my greatest challenges is trying to get people to understand that we are required to live our lives Biblically. This is a key element of sanctification.
Helping people to understand that we are required to follow the laws of the land that do not conflict with the Bible. Causing people to understand that they cannot rely upon humanity, thus the government, to care for them. That it is their responsibility to fix their own lives. Humans can’t fix humans, since all of humanity is broken. Only God can fix them.
There is only one way to see God. There is only one way to understand God. That is through Jesus Christ and His teaches which are the New Testament.
They need to understand that if it says to live a certain way they will not get into heaven. Then they need to accept this as the truth and turn from this live style.
These are the dilemmas that I am confronted with. It is a burden that is required by those that are told to be the light unto the darkness. We can only be a light if we do not reflect the world, but Jesus Christ. Yet too many reflect the world and think they are reflecting Jesus. Can any totally stop reflecting the world? No, however we must strive to ever be a brighter light. A better reflection of Jesus Christ.
These are things that I deal with constantly. These are things all that call themselves “Christian,” should deal with. Not just the Pastor, Ministers and or Priest, but ALL that call themselves a “child of God.”
For all get discouraged, especially when humans count on other humans to bear their burdens. None can bear their own. So how can they bear others as well?
Only God through Jesus Christ can bear the weight. Of this I have no doubt. For Jesus Christ has helped me with mine, and He can handle everyone’s. This was why He went to the cross. For the burdens of all that have lived, that are alive and that will live.

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The City is Laodicea was found on the road to Colossae some forty miles southeast of Philadelphia. The city had become wealthy under Roman rule and were known for their production of wool garments. They were so wealthy in fact that after an earthquake in 60 A.D. the city had rebuilt itself off its own resources. There had been references to the existence of the church up into the fourteenth century, but now the city is nothing but ruins. Paul mentioned Laodicea in his letter to Colossae.

Revelation 3:14 – And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: “The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.”

CHRIST THE ETERNAL AND FAITHFUL WITNESS: Christ called Himself the “Amen” which mean “so be it,” something He used frequently during His time when He walked amongst us. As Dr. Walvoord states it: “As a title for Christ it indicates His sovereignty and the certainty of the fulfillment of His promises.”
He also called Himself the faithful and true Witness, which tells us that he see all and knows all. Within our minds and in our actions and when the time comes and those that do not understand why they are standing before the Great White Throne instead of in the audience looking upon the judgment that is soon to follow will then simply look upon the Glorified Jesus and they will instantly know the answer without even having to ask the question.

Revelation 3:15-16 – “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

Christ does not mince words with those that lived in Laodicea. It made it clear and plain. Without works and faith together you are dead and a bitter taste unto God and must be cast out of the Body.
James 2 (KJV) – 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Christ makes it very clear he would rather you be cold or against God then to be lukewarm. But what are works? The key to works is found within the two new commandments given to us by Christ:
Matthew 22(KJV) – 34 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. 35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Revelation 3:17-18 – “For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.”

This is also today’s church which has been seduced by the luxuries of this soft and pampering world we now live within. Even now the children revolt against their elders. Thinking they know better than those that have been in this world longer. They have been so spoiled that they wish to have everything just handed over to them. This is selfishness to the extreme. This is the total opposite of placing God first and treating all those about you as you would wish to be treated yourself. The golden rule is dead and it was killed by those that wished to kick God totally out of the world. Well now as violence is on the increase. Different social groups begin to self-segregate, refusing in interact with none but their “own.”

Revelation 3:19 – “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent”

Christ here makes it clear that those HE LOVES he will “reprove and discipline.” So the next time you feel like accusing someone, especially someone who appears to be a Christian, of “judging,” remember it may not be.
2 Timothy 4(KJV) – 4 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
We are as Christians are instructed by the Bible to reprove, rebuke and to exhort and any that calls this “judging” are wishing to stay lukewarm and desire to be spit out of the Body of Christ.

Revelation 3:20-22 – “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

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The city of Philadelphia now known as Alasehir has existed for a long time even though located in a region that suffered from earthquakes. It is twenty-eight miles southeast of Sardis.

Revelation 3:7 – And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: “The words of the Holy One, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.”

CHRIST THE HOLY SOVEREIGN: Jesus being the son of God and who walked amongst us to know us and then took our sins was given the keys of David upon His arrival in heaven. Between the time of His crucifixion and His resurrection Christ went into the hell itself and took the keys of death and hell. He is the holder of the keys and all actions go through Him. Any door of opportunities are opened and closed by Him. Biblically this is also associated with Isaiah 22:22 in reference to Eliakim the son of Hilkiah who was placed in charge of the kings treasure. As Dr. Walvoord says in his commentary: “The Philadelphia church, surrounded by paganism and wickedness, needed the assurance Christ gives that He has to power to bring about His sovereign will.”

Revelation 3:8-9 – “I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is about to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet have kept my word and have not denied my name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie – behold. I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.”

Dr. Walvoord believes the image of an open door is in reference to opportunities for the witness of the gospel and to spread the word of that Jesus is the Messiah. Of all the options he listed this one makes the most sense. I do not agree with his opinion of the fallen away Jews though. Christ and God have never let their desire and love for the Jewish people fade. This does not mean that the Jewish people have done the same for Him. It has been twenty-five years since the destruction of the Temple by the Roman army. It is my personal believe that these Jews fell away in their true faith of God and had started to embrace the world about them since in their eyes God had abandoned them. Then to have the Christians of their city professing the Son of God and the Messiah made the Jewish congregation turn to wrath not only out of hearing a group profess of a true Messiah but also out of their falling away from their believe in God and their own guilt was a factor as well.

Revelation 3:10-11 – “Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.”

To me this praise given to the church of Philadelphia supports my above statement. For in prophecy the Jewish nation is not given this promise that the Christians are given. We are offered the Rapture while the Jewish nation is to stay upon the earth during the Tribulation to come.
Historically for the church as a whole this period of praise, worship, and ability to spread the gospel took place between the 1500s till the middle of the 1960s. After this the time of the great falling away started to take place and in my opinion was celebrated at Woodstock by Satan in 1969.

Revelation 3:12-13 – “The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from My God out of heaven and My own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

To those that overcome and live a faithful life to Christ are promised glorious rewards in this closing. They who have an ear, let them hear.

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Sardis the capitol of the country Lydia was located fifty miles east of Smyrna and thirty miles southeast of Thyatira. It was also located on the main trade caravan route. Much of the wealth for this city came from textiles, dyes and jewelry. Found near each other are the ruins of the Temple of Artemis and a Christian Church.

Revelation 3:1 – And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: “The words of Him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.”

CHRIST THE POSSESSOR OF THE SPIRIT: This is the first of two letters that have no commendation. Instead it goes straight into a rebuke. Here Christ is in possession of the seven spirits of God, the same which were shown before the throne of God in the first chapter of Revelation. This is a reference to the sevenfold character of the Holy Spirit as described in Isaiah 11:2-5. He also holds the seven stars which are the angels of the seven churches. This is to show Sardis that He has the power to judge them in righteousness.

Revelation 3:2-3 – “Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.”

Even though most were seen as dead to Christ, there were those that still has a spark of the life of Christ within them. His admonishment in these verses is to cause them to awaken from their decline unto death like the rest of those about them. Wealth and luxuries were all about them. The world was pleasing to look upon and so they felt contentment and peace. This wealth allowed them to live a life where the actions of faith were seen and heard, but the fruits they bore were dead and rotten.
It is also amazing how the hand of God works. For though this letter was written to the church of Sardis in the mid 90s A.D. God had planted His message to this church hundreds of years before. First in 549 B.C. when Cyrus the king of Persia conquered the city and again in 214 B.C. when Antiochus the Great conquered Sardis in the exact same way. It was at night and it was where the guards were not looking.
For the church as a whole this reflects the point in history between the time of the first discovery of the Americas (or rediscovery, however you wish to view that), till the time of the landing of the Puritans at Plymouth Rock. Within this time events like the later part of the inquisition were still in practice as well as the formation of the Church of England. Both of which were dead, but from them rose the Quakers and the Puritans.

Revelation 3:4-6 – “Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches.”

Here is a critical part of the Bible. Something many do not wish to hear or accept. For to do so would mean that they have to change their lives. That they need to awaken for the slumber unto to death.
The sentence is setup for what is to follow within these three verses. “Yet you have still a few names in Sardis,” is directly set to work with “and I will never blot his name out of the book of life.”
The other setup is “people who have not soiled their garments, and they walk in white,” which connects to “the one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments.”
Why is this important? To the first point. The way the sentence is worded at the beginning “yet you still have,” this implies that at one time their names were in the book of life. They had been saved, they had been known, they had been seen by God. So to the next point. They had white garments and they then soiled them and fell into death as a result.
John 15:1-2 – I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
2 Peter 2: 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
So per the Bible the man-made doctrine of “once saved always saved” is just that man-made, a lie, a falsehood. Designed to put those not willing to hear to sleep unto death in the eyes of God. As was stated earlier to the church of Sardis we are to stay ever vigilant by learning the word of God, but staying true to the teachings of the Bible and not allowing in those things that are called sins, or allowing the luxuries of a soft and pampered life overwhelm us and send us into a sleep we will never awaken from.